Electric sign



April 26, 1932. H. w. LAWRENCE ELECTRIC S IGN Filed NOV. 22, 1930 Patented Apr. 26, 1932 UNITED STAT-Es kPATENT OFFICE HARRY W. LAWRENCE, OF DENVER, COLORADO, `ASSIIIGrNO1`\f,v BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENT TO JEWELITE INC., A CORPORATION OF COLORADO ELECTRIC SIGN Application led November 22, 1930. Serial No. 497,473.

This invention relates to an electric sign and has for its principal object the provision of a sign which will produce, a. brilliant, constantly changing, scintillating effect which will be visible for a great distance in day light as well as at night.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the device that it will require but a. minimum of electric current to produce maximum results.

A further object of the invention is to produce a sign which will make use of the multitude of facets and angles of refraction of relatively small jewel-like lenses by illuminating them with a constantly moving light source so as to produce-a resplendent glittering effect.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention which is designed for simplicity, economy, and eiiiciency. These will become more apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawings and throughout the description.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one adaption of the improved sign partially broken away to show the interior construction.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross section therethrough taken on the line 2 2, Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a detail vertical section through the lower-portion of the sign illustrating the operating mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating an alternative form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating the pre-4 ferred type of lens lorvjewel to be employed in the invention.

The invention comprises a light-tight-sign box.l such as illustrated at 10. The box 10 will have a shape and size adaptable to the particular sign to be displayed and may lie in a -vertical, horizontal, or other position as desired. able to al vertical sign.

The box 10 as illustrated is adapt- Upon one or more faces of the box 10 the letters or characters of the sign are painted or otherwise produced as shown at 11.V The outline of the letters 11 is perforated through the faces of the box 10 by means of a series of holes in each of which a cut or molded glass lens or jewel 12-is positioned. The

ofthe jewels maybe clamped in place by j means of clamp plates 14 which are provided with a series of holes similar to the sides of the box 10. The plates 14 are clamped in place against the jewel Hanges by means of suitable clamp screws 15.- The jewels, of course. could be secured in place in any other desired manner. The method of clamping the jewels in place as illustrated, is described and claimed more in detail in applicants copending application, Serial No. 497,523.

A rotatable lamp shaft extends longitudinallv throughout the entire box 10. This shaft may be constructed in anv desired manner for supporting a series of lamp bulbs 16. l'tv is preferred. however, to construct it as illustrated. that is, with an external metal tube 17 carrying a series of lamp socket holes within the tube 17 and spaced therefrom by means of insulators 20. The base tips of the lamp bulbs 16 Contact. when screwed in place, with the internal conducting tube 19 and the 'two tubes 17 and 19 form conductors for carrying electricity to the lamps.

v A series of socket holes 18 may be provided so that the number and position of the lamps 16 may be varied to obtain the best results upon the particular sign characters beinsT used.

The external tube 17 terminates in a collector ring 21 to which current is conducted through a brush 22. The internal conductor tube 19 terminates in a collector ring 23 to we j which current is conducted by means of a second brush 24. vThe tube 17 is supported within the box 10 upon suitable insulated bearings 25. The internal tube 19 is connected through suitable insulation with a speed reducer 26 which in turn is operably connected with an electric motor 27. The motor, drive mechanism, and collector rings can be conveniently housed in a compartment 38 at one extremity of the sign.

It can be seen from the above description that the motor- 27 will constantly rotate the lamp shaft and the series of lamps carried in the socket opening18 causing the lamps to project theirbe'ms through the jewels 12 at an infinite number of constantly changing angles.

This causes a constant change in the angle of illumination of the various facets of the jewels 12 resulting in an animated, scintillating, glittering effect that has been found to have great visibility in daylight aswell as at night.

Ithas been found desirable, but not necessary, to also illuminate the jewels by means .of stationary reflected light. This is preferably accomplished by means of a series of stationary lamps 28. These lamps 28 can be l lsa 'the letters and characters.

supported from any desired sockets or conductors. It is preferred, however, to use a special lamp border 29 which, together withV the lamp shaft construction, is illustrated, described and claimed more in detail in applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 497,524.

It has been found that a much better effect can be obtained from the jewels 12 if theA direct light rays from the stationary lamps 28 are prevented from striking them. This is accomplished in the present invention by placing the lamps 28 upon the same face that carries the jewels 12 and providing baiiie plates 30 between the jewels and the lamps.

In large signs there might be a great waste of illumination in the blank spaces between This waste can be reduced by blocking off the blank spaces by means of partitions as shown at 37. Fig. 1.

As can be readily seen one of the principal features of this invention is the idea of constantly moving a light source to different positions in the rear of a-series of faceted lenses or jewels. This can be accomplished in many ways, the rotating shaft of Figs. 1, 2, and 3 is one illustration of the principle. Another form is' shown in4 Fig. 4, in which the sign character is indicated Iat 31 studded with jewels'32. In the rear of the jewels 32 is a revolving disc 33 mounted upon a rotating shaft 36 and carrying a series of electric lamps 34. As the series of lamps 34 rotates it will throw the light beams upon the facets of the jewels 32 and constantly differing angles and create the same scintillating effect as previously described. This form of the invention could be used in place of the rotating lamp shaft of Fig. 1, when desired.

n the latter form of lthe invention the bases of the lamps 34 would -be screwed into the plate 33 and the tips of the lamp bases would contact with a second contact disc 35 which would complete the electric ciruit to the lamps, thereby eliminating the necessityfor separate sockets and wiring.

In the sign illustrated the sign characters are outlined on an opaque sign face by means of the lenses 12. It is desired to be understood that the reverse of this procedure is also contemplated, that is, the entire area of the sign face covered with lenses with the characters either opaque or outlined in dif-- ferent colored lenses.

While a. specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein` it is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, within the scope 0f the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent is 1. An lelectric sign comprising: a sign box; sign characters carried by said sign box, there being perforations through said box outlining said characters; faceted lenses carried in said perforations; a longitudinal shaft eX-" tending through said box behind said characters; a series of electric lamps projecting from said shaft; means for rotating sai shaft, said shaft comprising: an inner contact bar; an outer lamp supporting bar surrounding, spaced and insulated from said inner bar, there being perforations in said outer bar so as to allow a lamp base to project therethrough into contact with said inner bar to close a circuit therewith; a collector ring v in circuit with said outer bar; a second collector ring in circuit with said inner bar; brushes contacting with said collector rings so as to conduct current to said bars to illuminate said lamps.

2. A rotatable light supporting shaft for electric signs comprlsing: an inner contact bar; an outer lamp supporting bar spaced and insulated'from said inner bar, there being perforations in said outer bar so as to allow lamp bases to project therethrough into contact with said inner bar to close a circuit therewith; and means for rotatably support-1 circuit with said outer bar; a second collector ring in circuit with said inner bar; and

brushes contacting with said collector rings so as to conduct current to said bars to illuminate said lamps.

4. A rotatable lamp supporting shaft for electric signs comprisingz an inner bar; an outer bar; insulated spacin means arranged to space said outer bar uni ormlvy about said inner bar, there being perforatlons in said outer bar to allow a lamp base to project therethrough into contact wlth said inner bar; a bearing member for supporting said shaft; and an insulated spacing member supporting said bearing member from said outer bar.

5. An electric sign comprising: a sign box; sign characters carried by said sign box, there being p'erforations through said box outlining said characters; faceted lenses carried in said perforations; a motor compartment formed in said sign box; a partition separatin said motor compartment from said sign gbox; a longitudinal shaft extending through said box behind said characters; a

bearing for supportin said shaft on said partition; a series of e ectric lamps projecting from said shaft; means in said motor compartment for rotating said shaft; and means `:tor supplying current to the lamps on 39 said shaft.

In testimony whereof, I ailix my signature.

HARRY W. LAWRENCE. 

